First, ask your target for advice. I know, many of you believe gifts should be surprises. I have a basement full of surprises. Surprises power our garage sales.

Here's my Top 5 plus one possibilities for joy this season. Shop on a search site for a look at where these are available, online or locally:

1. Power loppers: Old-time loppers are straight-line handles to a cutting head. Power loppers add a dual-hinge cutting system that uses leverage to make your cuts much easier. These will take down vines and shrub and tree branches quickly with minimal arm effort. Look for trimmers with 2-inch capacities and a lifetime warranty. Thirty-two inch reach is very handy. About $40.

2. Garden clogs: Does your significant other complain about tracking in dirt? Garden clogs are the answer. They're designed to stay outside. The latest versions are EVA, a rubberish material, and totally washable when mud gets out of control. Buy in shoe sizes, men's and women's. Look for removable insoles to make cleaning easier. About $16.

3. Hose wash adapter: If you've been salivating over a power washer but are cringing at the price, try a garden-hose adapter. These screw-on nozzles send out a narrow blast of water good for cleaning drives and walks of baked-on grass. You'll think of more cleaning chores. Big plus: The streams don't break windows or remove siding. About $10.

4. Water station: Hang this puppy near an outdoor faucet and enjoy a sink and platform perfect for cleaning tools and pots and washing up after garden work. Units are collapsible for storage. Add a dual-connection brass Y-valve to your supply faucet and you can use your hose without disconnecting your sink. Comes with a hose keeper. About $90.

5. Capacitative work gloves: You need touch-screen enabled gloves to answer that important call while out there scratching the dirt. Gloves with this talent recently were in the $60 range. Now they are less than $20. A leather pair runs $15. They also work with tablets and come in winter versions to keep in touch while snow shoveling, a must for the always-on social media crowd. Note: They must fit tightly.

Bonus: "Concrete Crafts" by Alan Wycheck. Add a bag of concrete and you're making dozens of garden accessories including pavers, bird baths, planters, pots, tabletops, whatever. It's the full picture including molds, staining and curing. A lot of folks have turned this hobby into a second job. About $22 list, $16 street.